Andrew B. Heyward (born February 19, 1949) is an American media executive and animator who is currently CEO of Kartoon Studios, formerly known as Genius Brands International.
He previously worked at defunct animation studio and production company DIC Entertainment as chairman and CEO.
[1] Heyward was born in New York City, New York, the son of Sylvia (née Block) and Louis M. "Deke" Heyward, who was vice president of development at leading entertainment companies such as Four Star International[2] and Barry & Enright Productions,[3] as well as senior vice president for defunct leading cartoon company, Hanna-Barbera.
[4] Andy Heyward's upbringing was robust with access to the entertainment elite, including his first start as an assistant for legendary animator Joe Barbera of Hanna-Barbera on Scooby's All-Star Laff-a-Lympics.
He subsequently bought the remaining shares owned by Jean Chalopin, founder of the French company DIC Audiovisuel.